Boley asking high court to rule on Deem's eligibility

February 15, 2012

CHARLESTON - State Sen. Donna Boley, R-3rd, is asking the West Virginia Supreme Court to determine whether Frank Deem of Wood County can run for the state Senate.

The state Constitution says no two senators can be from the same county in the same district. Deem and Sen. David Nohe, R-Wood, both live in Wood County, which is in Senate District 3.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant last week certified Deem's candidacy.

Article Photos

Sen. Donna Boley, left, and Frank Deem

"This petition involves a dispute over whether or not a candidate is eligible to be elected and involves conflicting provisions of the West Virginia Constitution and the United States Constitution," Tennant said. "Obviously the secretary of state does not decide disputes over the constitution and I am neutral in this suit. The secretary welcomes this petition as an opportunity to resolve the dispute for this and all future elections."